Academics

EDUCATION IN TRUTH, GOODNESS, AND BEAUTY

St. Monica teachers continue to be trained in the philosophy and pedagogical characteristics of an authentic Classical education, and in the process, they are experiencing a renewed excitement and observing greater student engagement with this traditional approach to teaching and learning!
 
(See Catholic Liberal Education Resources for further information.)

We were excited to begin the 2019-2020 school year by expanding the CLE pilot program to six integrated lessons that incorporate Theology, ELA, and History for grades Kindergarten through 6th.  We are working closely with the Office of Schools to finalize a sustainable and achieveable six-year implementation program, of which we are in year two.  In 2020-2021, our teachers will be stepping out of the pilot phase and will be creating a 10-lesson unit during the first semester.

See the sample teacher pages, below.  These are in process of being developed by all teachers, to provide some insight about our planned integration at each specified grade level.

Mrs. Sharon Garlick - Early Childhood

Mrs. Sonya Dumont - Kindergarten

Mrs. Melissa Hopper - Grade 1

Miss Abby Carr - Grade 2

Mrs. Mariah Mandeville (Coming Soon)

Mr. Zach Wilson - Grade 4

Mr. Bob Plotz - Grade 5

Mrs. Jennifer Crawford - Grade 6

Mrs. Bult, Mrs. Inwood, Ms. Matyas, Deacon Lucas - Grades 7 & 8



Academic Expectations
"In order that the Catholic school and the Catholic teachers may truly make their irreplaceable contribution to the Church and to the world, the goal of Catholic education itself must be crystal clear. Beloved sons and daughters of the Catholic Church, brothers and sisters in the faith: Catholic education is above all a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others." – Message of John Paul II to the National Catholic Educational Association of the United States, April 16, 1979

At SMCS, we take the charge from St. John Paul II to heart. We strive to creative a warm, welcoming environment best suited to guiding our students to Christ. As a member of the Diocese of Kalamazoo and the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo, we follow the Diocesan standards for Academic Excellence. We then aim to exceed those expectations and provide even further application of critical thinking and problem solving. The students experience daily Theology lessons and Mass opportunities, as well as daily instruction in Math, Reading/English Literature, Science, Social Studies and Geography (for Middle School). Students in grades 1 through 5 also take Handwriting (cursive). We support these classroom subjects with a variety of specials courses that include Technology, Music, Art, Spanish, Physical Education, Library and Band (5-8).

In the event that a student needs help meeting, or is excelling past, grade level expectations, we can create individualized learning opportunities that will best fit our student. We have the ability to do this through our partnerships with Portage Public Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, SLD Read, Keystone Learning and the Academically Talented Youth Program (ATYP), as well as one-on-one assistance with some of our parent volunteers. We also believe that there are opportunities outside of the classroom for growth in Faith, education and leadership. We offer athletics for our Middle School students, as well as extra-curricular groups for our whole student body. 

If you have any further questions about our academics, please contact Principal Jordon Beery at 269-345-2444 and he would be happy to discuss them with you!